The tragic passing of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has left many unanswered questions, 

but a leading pathologist suggests that one may have died from a broken heart after discovering the other deceased.

Dr. James Gill, the Chief Medical Examiner for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner—

who is not directly involved in the case—offered his insights into what might have led to the couple’s heartbreaking fate.

Could a ‘Broken Heart’ Have Been the Cause?

According to Dr. Gill, there have been cases where a person passes away suddenly after the death of a loved one, 

a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “broken heart syndrome” or Takotsubo syndrome. This condition, which is triggered by extreme emotional distress, can lead to a sudden heart failure event that mimics a heart attack.

“Suddenly finding your loved one dead on the floor can increase your adrenaline, which stimulates the heart to beat faster and may push it into an irregular rhythm,” Dr. Gill explained.

He further noted that extreme distress can cause people to become despondent or even make rash decisions in response to overwhelming grief. However, he stressed that a toxicology report would be crucial in determining whether there were any external factors involved in the couple’s deaths, such as medication or accidental poisoning.

Timeline of Tragedy: What We Know So Far

The 95-year-old Academy Award winner and his 65-year-old wife were found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26. However, authorities believe that their deaths occurred days or even weeks earlier.

Although a minor gas leak was detected at the couple’s residence, there were no signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, ruling out a leak-related death. Investigators also confirmed that no foul play was suspected, and both bodies showed no external trauma.

Gene Hackman was discovered near the kitchen, his glasses thrown from his body, leading law enforcement to speculate that he may have collapsed unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Betsy Arakawa was found lying on the bathroom floor, with prescription pills scattered nearby.

Could Gene Hackman’s Health Have Played a Role?

Given Hackman’s history of heart disease and the fact that he had a pacemaker, Dr. Gill believes it is entirely plausible that he suffered a medical episode.

“He’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual,” he noted.

However, what remains unexplained is why Arakawa also died around the same time. If Hackman was the first to pass away, Dr. Gill theorizes that his wife may have succumbed to the shock and grief of finding him, leading to a stress-induced cardiac event.

Could It Have Been the Other Way Around?

Dr. Gill also suggested that the opposite scenario was just as likely—Arakawa may have died first, prompting Hackman to experience a fatal cardiac episode upon discovering her body.

“Assuming she would’ve found him, then you start wondering about: There is this thing where the stress of seeing someone die could have triggered a natural death in her,” he explained.

However, if Arakawa passed away first, the stress of losing her could have caused Hackman’s pacemaker-dependent heart to fail while attempting to get help or call emergency services.

“He’s older, he’s got known heart disease,” Dr. Gill said. “But the autopsy would certainly show if she had heart disease, cancer, or another underlying condition.”

The Mystery Deepens: Medications and Decomposition Findings

Authorities also discovered several prescription medications in the home, including Tylenol, a thyroid medication, and Diltiazem—a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. While none of these are considered lethal, their potential effects in combination with other undetected substances remain under investigation.

Arakawa’s state of decomposition also raised concerns. Investigators noted “bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet”, which suggested she may have been deceased for a longer period than Hackman before their bodies were discovered.

Adding another tragic element to the case, the couple’s beloved dog, Zinna, was also found deceased in her crate. Initially mistaken for a German Shepherd, the dog was later identified as an Australian Kelpie mix.

Investigation Continues: What’s Next?

While authorities have ruled out foul play, the case remains open pending the results of autopsies and toxicology reports. These findings will help determine:

Whether Hackman or Arakawa passed away first

If any medical conditions or medications played a role

The exact timeline of their deaths

Until then, the possibility of broken heart syndrome remains a compelling theory. Whether one collapsed in grief over the other’s passing or they both succumbed to natural causes around the same time, the loss of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa is a heartbreaking end to their decades-long love story.

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